Development of a Long Range Shooting Simulator Matt
Problem Definition There are numerous companies that develop shooting simulators. Most companies position themselves in the military/law enforcement training space. Few companies market to private consumers. Commercially available shooting simulators: Do not offer a long range solution. Are cost prohibitive. Matt
Long Range Shooting For the purpose of our project we consider long range shooting: To be at a distance greater than 100 yards. To require the shooter to identify and compensate for the following variables: Wind speed, wind direction, temperature, humidity, barometric pressure, altitude, gravity, ballistic coefficient, round weight, muzzle velocity, elevation, target speed, target direction, and the Coriolis Effect* *For distances greater than five hundred yards. Sam
Market Analysis Many people have used a basic shooting simulator without realizing it. We’re planning to be a little more complex than Duck Hunt. The best on the market: VirTra’s V-300 5-screens allowing for 300 degrees of immersion (MSRP $150k) Sam
Solutions Research We identified three possible design solutions for our project: Sensor Net Wii Mote Image Processing Matt
Solutions Research – Sensor Net Create a large array of photo-sensors. Fire an unfocused laser at the array. Calculate the center of the beam based on photo-sensor information. Pros Relatively simplistic design. Software development focus is primarily on long distance algorithms. Cons Nearly unmanageable number of photo- sensors (7200 for a 10’ x 10’ screen). Less accurate shot prediction. Cost prohibitive. Sam
Solutions Research – Wii Mote Utilize the Wii Mote’s IR camera by positioning it next to our projection screen. Mount an IR LED sensor bar perpendicular to the barrel of the simulated gun. Determine shot placement based on triangulation. Pros Pre-existing hardware design found online. Relatively cost effective solution. Cons At a distance of 15’ from the Wii Mote the sensor bar would need to be 18” long. Not enough hardware design. Sam
Solutions Research – Image Processing* Project a target on a screen. Utilize a video camera to capture a laser point being fired at the target. Determine shot placement based on Image Processing. Pros Existing systems solely rely on Image Processing. Decent support for open source Image Processing libraries. Challenging Cons Extensive amount of coding required. No experience in Image Processing. Expensive system components. A frustrating amount of red tape. Matt * Our chosen solution.
General System Overview Matt
Hardware Overview Off-the-shelf Components Simulated Firearm Laser Delivery System Sam
Hardware Overview – Off-the-shelf Components Computer Video Camera Video Capture Card Video Projector VIS Bandpass Filter Sam
Hardware Overview – Simulated Firearm Bolt-action & Spring-loaded Realistic feel Easily modifiable Sam
Hardware Overview – Laser Delivery System Requirements: Must fit inside a bolt action rifle’s barrel. Must be self-contained (internal power supply). Must be rated Class 3A. The laser must be pulsed at 10 milliseconds. Spec for the lightest design possible. Sam
Software Overview Our program will be completed in C++ using Microsoft Visual Studio 2012 and will utilize and include: OpenCV Image Processing User Interface Matt
Software Overview - OpenCV Open-source computer vision library. Real-time image processing. Written in C++ Full interfaces in Python, Java, & Matlab Matt
Software Overview – Image Processing Thresholding technique for determination of shot placement: Capture the image from the camera. Smooth the original image using Gaussian smoothing. Convert the color format of the image from RGB to HSV. Threshold the HSV image based on variable criteria. Create a binary image. Smooth the binary image using Gaussian smoothing. Calculate the image moment. Store the relative X-Y position of the image moment. Matt
Software Overview – User Interface Matt
Project Goals Minimum Viable Product Stretch Goals Develop a real-time simulator for long-range shooting applications. Design a self-contained system comprising video projection, user-interface, and capture system. Utilize video image processing to determine shooting accuracy. Develop shooting scenarios that involve static targets. Develop algorithms to simulate the variables associated with long-range shooting. Develop a means of storing and reporting shooting accuracy. Develop a simulated firearm, including a laser system, with physical feedback. Stretch Goals Develop shooting scenarios that include dynamic targets. Develop a simulated optics platform to work in tandem with the simulated firearm. Sam
Current Progress At this time we can: Detect where a shot has been placed on a non-projected target. Store the X-Y coordinate data of each shot from a session in a text document. Retrieve the shot placement information from the most recent session and graphically display the results. Project different targets on a screen. Matt
Current Progress
System Testing Strategy Iterative code testing. Periodic UNH Radiation Safety Officer laser output power testing. Designer evaluation. Perspective users: Law enforcement Hunters Sport Shooters (UNH Shooting Club) Periodic consultation and testing with military-trained marksmen.
Project Timeline I Sam
Project Timeline II Sam
Preliminary Budget Sam Total Price Estimate Item Price Quantity <5mW Laser (testing) $ 11.64 1 1080p Projector $ 201.99 Airsoft Gun $ 58.95 Laptop Computer $ 269.99 Projector Screen $ 39.99 AAA Batteries (large package) $ 15.00 1 Large Package Web Cam $ 11.52 Laser Diode $ 11.45 Resistors $ 0.10 3 Voltage Regulator $ 2.50 PCB $ 30.00 Capacitor $ 1.00 Diode Lense $ 10.00 Momentary Switch $ 0.25 2 VIR Bandpass Filter $. 80.00 Total $ 746.88 Sam
Contact Information Sam Holdridge, University of New Hampshire- Electrical and Computer Engineering Email: swk32@wildcats.unh.edu Matt Simon, University of New Hampshire - Electrical and Computer Engineering Email: mma49@wildcats.unh.edu